Why Pre-export Verification of Conformity Matters When Exporting to Tanzania

The Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) is the primary regulatory body responsible for overseeing and enforcing standards across various industries. Under the country’s product conformity assessment (PCA) program, it has initiated a pre-export verification of conformity (PVoC) scheme to ensure products arriving in Tanzania meet relevant standards, technical regulations and specifications.

Initiated in February 2012, Tanzania’s PVoC program requires specified imported goods to undergo inspection and testing by authorized inspection companies prior to export from the country of origin/embarkation. Since its commencement, this PVoC program has been an important component in Tanzania's efforts to enhance product quality, safety and compliance with regulatory standards.

Phases of the PVoC program

The PVoC program has gone through several phases since its implementation in 2012.

• Phase 1 – 2012-2015
• Phase 2 – 2015-2018
• Phase 3 – 2018-2022
• Phase 4 – 2022 (ends July 2024)

Purpose of the PVoC program

1. Consumer protection – ensures imported goods meet required quality and safety standards before entering the Tanzanian market. This protects consumers from substandard and unsafe products, reducing the risk of health hazards, accidents and financial losses associated with low-quality goods
2. Fair trade and competition – creates a level playing field where domestic and foreign producers must ensure imported goods comply with the same technical regulations and quality standards
3. Health and environmental safety – ensures products that pose a risk to human health and the environment do not enter the country
4. Enhanced trade facilitation – streamlines the customs clearance process by ensuring imported goods conform to relevant standards prior to dispatch, thereby reducing delays at the port of entry

Verification

The exporter starts the process by submitting the following documents to SGS:

• Request for certification (indicating the point of entry)
• Proforma invoice 
• Quality management system (QMS) certification(s)
• Conformity documents (test reports, quality certificates, analysis reports, etc.)
• Final invoice

To confirm compliance with applicable standards or technical requirements, goods must undergo one or a combination of the following verification processes:

• Inspection
• Laboratory testing

Exporters have three proposed methods for demonstrating compliance and obtaining the required certificate of conformity (CoC):

• Route A – applicable to any good or trader
• Route B – recommended for frequent exporters with homogeneous products
• Route C – for manufacturers

Conclusion

PVoC is a vital component in ensuring product quality, safety and regulatory compliance in Tanzania. By understanding the procedures, collaborating with regulatory authorities like the TBS and investing in compliance measures, businesses can effectively navigate the regulatory landscape, safeguarding consumer interests and contributing to a fairer marketplace in Tanzania.

SGS is fully equipped to provide businesses with expert guidance. Our experts are ready to ensure your certification process is conducted with the utmost efficiency and professionalism.

Learn more about the Tanzania – PVoC Program.

This article can also be found in our PCA Newsletter (Q2/2024) – which keeps you up to date with developments in technical barriers to trade and product conformity assessment.

Read more PCA articles (Q2/2024)

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You can read more articles in our previous editions in the PCA Newsletter Library.